Fourteen-year-old athlete Nahjah Wyatte Muñoz (third right), winner of the 2026 President of Parliament Award, stands with the other finalists and Parliament officials during Tuesday’s reception marking the opening of the new parliamentary year. Muñoz was recognised after becoming St. Maarten’s first NACAC Age Group Championships gold medallist in 2025 and its first CARIFTA Games gold medallist in April 2026. This year’s award attracted a record 20 nominations. From left are finalists Sara Bharwani and Arianna Khemchandani, President of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, finalists Mai-Angel Martis, Muñoz and Ingemar Arndell, and Parliament Secretary-General Garrick Richardson. 

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs says putting limits on the use of government vehicles is an area where government can reduce costs with potential savings in vehicle maintenance, purchases and fuel.

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Dr Luc Mercelina says government should move toward buying buildings rather than continually renting properties from third parties, with the long-term goal of leaving the country with government-owned assets.

Led by the Ministry of Justice with technical support from UNODC and implemented in partnership with Tur Cos Ta Posibel, the first prison book club has been launched, making early steps towards rehabilitation and education.

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament has laid the groundwork for greater digitalisation, artificial intelligence integration and paperless operations, with a newly established Digital Transformation and AI Workgroup now guiding efforts toward a more open and digitally equipped Parliament.